Background: According to recent CDC data, more than half (57%) of adolescents ages 15-19 diagnosed with HIV or AIDS in 2006 were young men who had sex with men; 84% of these were African American or Hispanic/Latino young men. The number of newly diagnosed young men increased 80% from 2004 to 2007. Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, and those who question their sexual orientation, have unique stressors in their lives and report high rates of depression, suicide, and alcohol and tobacco use. LGBQ youth are less likely to report receiving AIDS education in school despite sitting in the same classes as their peers. Schools, in partnership with health agencies and community-based organizations, can employ several evidence-based strategies to improve the relevance and effectiveness of HIV and STI prevention efforts.

Purpose: To help schools address the unique HIV/STI prevention needs of LGBQ youth, particularly young men of color, by exploring a range of strategies and available resources.

Methods (instructional approach): The presenters will lead participants in an interactive discussion of explanations for high rates of risk behaviors and poor health outcomes among LGBQ youth, and present a model of policy and practices that schools and community agencies can implement to support these youth. Such strategies include improving classroom HIV prevention education, maintaining a safe and supportive learning climate, training pupil services staff members to address the needs of LGBQ youth, offering opportunities for positive youth development, providing support for students' families, encouraging HIV/STI testing and counseling, and referring students to additional sources of assistance in the community. Participants will become oriented to a range of practical resources available from the CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health (CDC-DASH), the American Psychological Association (APA), and other organizations that are available to help implement effective prevention strategies.